A VODKA revolution is brewing in no other than Newby Bridge with the production of a homemade toffee blend.

Judith Wren, 52, makes her Kin Toffee Vodka from a ‘secret’ recipe which she has developed over the last seven years.

Mrs Wren said: “I first discovered toffee vodka when I was skiing in France and I did some variations at home until I came up with a very nice blend which I tested out on my family and friends.”

In December Mrs Wren launched the business which has gone from ‘strength to strength’ and is now available in independent stockists in Ambleside, Windermere, Bowness, Kendal, Cartmel, Ulverston and Keswick.

“Last summer I was walking in the Alps and I thought I would give it a go at bringing it to market.

“Everything that it represents is true to me and my values - it’s me in a bottle.

“The idea behind the name is ‘kith and kin’, as it’s something to be shared with the people who you care for,” said Mrs Wren.

She added that even the branding is personal as the wren resembles her name and the label represents the a view of the Langdales from Gummers How.

The vodka is smooth, ‘not too sweet’, with rich caramel tones and a hint of vanilla.

Mrs Wren, a former financial advisor who now works for the Brathay Trust, said it is best enjoyed chilled over ice, while her stockists have started experimenting with cocktails which she is in the process of recording to share with her customers.

It is produced by ‘chief blender’ Mrs Wren and bottled with the help of her husband Mike in a workshop at their home in an old blacksmiths in Newby Bridge.

She continued: “I’m proud of my roots and I love being in Cumbria.

“Mike’s family has been there for 175 years so it’s nice that there’s that feeling of heritage, and it’s not a bad office.”

Mrs Wren added that since founding the small batch vodka company, it has grown four times faster than she expected and it is going ‘extremely well’.